New Zealand announces Pacific parliamentary meeting

New Zealand has announced it will host a forum of Pacific parliamentarians in April.

The chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade select committee, John Hayes, says it will be an opportunity for Pacific politicians and leaders, and New Zealand Members of Parliament, to strengthen their networks in the region

The idea for the Pacific Parliamentary meeting came from a recent review of New Zealand's relationship with Pacific states.

The gathering will begin with a three hour debate in the New Zealand Parliament on Pacific issues.